Nicotine withdrawal isn’t the only concern that many smokers have when wanting to stop smoking. People who quit cold turkey usually have worse symptoms than those who seek assistance from a hypnotherapist, NHS or utilise smoking devices (including nicotine replacement therapy).
Many fear it will take a long time to see improvements in health and well-being, but the timeline for seeing real benefits is faster than most people realise. Health benefits begin in as little as an hour after the last cigarette and continue to improve.
Here are some key points about smoking cessation and what you should consider before stopping smoking.
1. Smoking is Expensive
…and you might be surprised at how it all adds up. On average, most people who quit save around £250 each month. That’s nearly £3,000 a year going up in smoke. What else could you spend that money on?
Click on the SMOKEFREE website quick cost calculator to find out how much money you will save
2. Nicotine Craving
…is one of the most challenging and persistent symptoms of quitting smoking due to the nicotine withdrawal. The cravings you feel are caused by nicotinic receptors in the brain. When sudden deprived of nicotine, the brain will no longer release the “feel-good” hormone dopamine which the body has grown accustomed to.
Nicotine cravings normally last for five to 10 minutes. They may be uncomfortable but try to remind yourself that the feeling will pass.
3. Weight Gain
To avoid weight gain when you quit smoking, make diet and exercise part of your stop-smoking plan. It’s common to gain weight after you stop smoking, especially during the first several months — but it isn’t inescapable.
4. Mood Changes
The side effects of quitting smoking can be extreme for some. Many people feel like they have the flu when they’re going through withdrawal. This is because smoking affects every system in your body. When you quit, your body needs to adjust to not having nicotine. It’s important to remember that these side effects are only temporary.
5. Coping with Stress Without Smoking
Managing stress is a key part of quitting smoking. People often tell me the reasons why they smoke are to calm their nerves, dealing with stress, boredom and to feel at ease in social situations.
6. Develop a Persistent Cough
People will often become alarmed when they develop a persistent cough after they quit smoking. As odd as this may seem, coughing at this stage is a sign that your lungs are getting better, not worse.
7. Health Benefits
Your body’s collagen production returns to normal levels, so your skin looks healthier, the stains on your teeth and fingernails could diminish and the blood flow to your hair follicles increases, which may result in hair regrowth or thicker hair.
8. Constipation
Nicotine affects the small bowel and colon. When you remove the nicotine, you may experience constipation as your body adjusts to going without it. This symptom will gradually decline during the first 1-2 months of quitting.
9. Restless Sleep
…is a common side effect of nicotine withdrawal and can run the gamut from insomnia to requiring more sleep during the day. The symptoms are also closely linked to the irregularity of dopamine, the hormone of which is also involved in sleep regulation.
10. Quitter’s Flu
…also called smoker’s flu, is a slang term used to describe the flu-like symptoms that nicotine withdrawal can sometimes produce. Is worth noting that smoker’s flu is not an infectious illness.
If you’d like help to stop smoking then contact me on 0114 327 2683 to book a session. I offer a full money back guarantee for smoking hypnotherapy. Click here to find out more about my stop smoking hypnosis.